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“Why is he safe? Are you kidding me? Why is he safe? Why is he safe? Oh my goodness, Jim Joyce. No.”

That was all Tigers color commentator Rod Allen could muster after umpire Jim Joyce altered history in what will go down as one of the worst calls in the history of baseball (not an exaggeration). Typically, when the guy who was called safe looks like he is about to start arguing the call, you got the call wrong.

What makes it worse was that Joyce didn’t have to make that call. The play wasn’t nearly close enough to put him in the unenviable position of deciding whether a game was perfect or not. It was clear as day that Jason Donald was out, but Joyce went ahead and screwed it all up.

Lost somewhat in the aftermath is Armando Galarraga‘s reaction. How anyone could stay calm — let alone smile — after being cheated out of the 21st perfect game in the history of the majors is beyond understanding for most people. He also accepted Joyce’s apology after the game, will be remembered in history and could provide the impetus to bring instant replay to baseball.

He won’t have perfect game No. 21, though, and that’s a crying shame.

Photo of the day

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Comment of the day

“Seriously, the NHL has the best system. The War Room works! The officials on the ice have the call unless they ask for help or if the War Room sees something wrong. They watch several angles of every minute of every game.”–Peter